Epilepsy patients visiting AIIMS New Delhi for treatment will soon benefit from a major patient-friendly initiative. The AIIMS administration has announced the launch of free Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) tests, a facility that will be available within the hospital system.
With the introduction of this service, patients will no longer need to go to private laboratories or pay for these investigations. The move is expected to provide both medical and financial relief to a large number of individuals undergoing long-term epilepsy treatment.
Under the new facility, TDM tests will be offered for commonly used anti-epileptic drugs including Phenobarbital, Carbamazepine, Valproic Acid, and Phenytoin. AIIMS has issued instructions to all departments and centres, including the National Cancer Institute (NCI), to send patient samples to the designated AIIMS laboratory for testing.
Why TDM Testing Is Important
According to AIIMS health officials, Therapeutic Drug Monitoring is a critical investigation that measures the level of medicines in the blood. This allows clinicians to:
- Evaluate how effectively a drug is working
- Adjust the dosage accurately
- Detect early signs of drug-related toxicity
Since many epilepsy patients require a combination of medicines for years, regular monitoring of blood drug levels becomes essential for safer and more effective outcomes.
Where the Facility Will Be Available
The TDM testing service will be accessible to:
- OPD patients at AIIMS Delhi: Sample collection at Room No. 3 from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM
- Patients at AIIMS-National Cancer Institute, Jhajjar as well
Earlier, these same tests cost patients anywhere between ₹390 and ₹1880 in the private sector. The AIIMS initiative will now deliver this essential service entirely free, strengthening in-house diagnostic support and improving the overall standard of epilepsy care.
